Depends on definition of 'senior'. Phillips and Davies may be 24/25 but they are not senior members of the team because of their lack of experience playing at the top level. They should not be viable options for us. In a normal season, neither of them would be anywhere close to the first team. And if you assume Gomez, Matip and VVD (and Konate) are all fully fit again, then Phillips and Davies will be summoned back to the reserves. And yep, good lucky trying to find someone to replicate Trent's output! I really like Kostas because he is similar to Robbo (stylistically) so I would like someone who is similar for the right flank as well. You won't get someone with the insane passing and crossing ability as Trent but I'm sure we can get someone who can support the attack and run up the flanks all day long. I just don't want to be in a position where we have to rely on using the likes of Milner, Gomez or Neco, or over using Trent again.
True but as far I'm concerned, he is not and never was a serious option for us. I really don't see him ever playing a single minute for us.
This is the thing though. We’re not going to have 7 centre backs who are all top 4 level. Because we can’t pay our 7th choice CB 100k a week. In a regular season Phillips and Davies woukdnt be near first time, 100% agree. And the only reason they would be near is if we have 4 injuries to CB all at same time, which wouldn’t be normal. goes back to this, name me a 5th choice CB in the prem thats better than Nat Phillips. There isn’t one, therefor how do you find someone who is better than him, who would look to be happy to be on out of the squad for 50% of the season, on the bench for 30% of the season and may play in 20% of the season?
Quite possibly, and I fear you're right, but then we probably said similar about Robbo at first. Doesn't mean Davies will turn out similar, but without knowing more we can't really say.
But again, our 5th choice for this upcoming is most likely not going to be just a 5th choice. I think they are going to get decent minutes as we will be managing the fitness over the other 4. And Kabak is far better than Phillips and has potential to grow.
that’s the risk and something neither of us know about though. I’m sure klopp and the medical team will have far greater knowledge. Just think far more pressing issues in midfield and up top that need back up especially wirth us losing mane and Salah during January for afcon that spending what limited budget we have on what will eventually be a 5th choice CB seems very short sighted when we still have players like Phillips Davies Williams who can cover for small periods if the worse happens and vvd Gomez and Matip collapse all together again (which is unlikely). That’s before you then even get to Fabinho who could do the odd game there under certain circumstances.
Let’s not forget, our record with Phillips at the back end of the season was what, 10 wins in 11? Not too shabby for a guy that isn’t good enough
In regards to CBs. We bought one this summer so don't expect another. We had a choice between Konate or Kabak (at a lower price) we chose Konate because he has more potential. Brings us to 4/5 (depending on how you view Phillips and Williams) which is one better than last season and I would really hope we don't see the same as last season in terms of injuries culminating all in one position. So far nobody has made a bid or shown real interest for Phillips so at the moment he stays and given that Matip can't manage two games in a week and is practically made of glass perhaps Phillips staying isn't a bad thing as I can see him being defacto 4th choice with Matip's injury record. You'd hope VvD and Gomez will comeback strong and Konate can hit the ground running so Phillips perhaps won't play as much as last season. Difference between having Phillips and Kabak as 5th choice: 1: Phillips is seemingly happy to be 5th choice, would Kabak? Doubt it as he's been a starting CB for his club for a few years now, he'll want a starting or 3rd choice berth anywhere he goes. 2: Phillips is at the club, Kabak would cost money. And Phillips wages will also be less. Means we can use that money elsewhere, ie CM or CF.
I'd prefer Phillips over Kabak anyway because the former is a organiser, something we lack when VVD and Hendo are missing
I would add he is useful against more direct sides some of us were pleading for Klopp to play defenders in defence and midfielders in midfield it is okay springing a surprise using fab in defence against a top six side as it’s exactly that a surprise but Philips record at the end of season spoke volumes It wasn’t down to his ability but more down to what it allowed the others to do whilst providing more than adequate cover
That's a really short sighted way of looking at it. We conceded so many chances in every game during that period but didn't cost us because we benefited from a) Allison being immense and b) poor finishing by the opposition. I'm sorry but let's not pretend that we were good defensively.
Yep agree, I do want us to focus on the attack and midfield as well. But I'm not entirely convinced that the defence is sorted And I never want to see Fabinho ever being an option there again.
Phillips is a bit basic, but he's very good at it. As long as the team understands his limitations and plays accordingly then I think he's fine as a stand-in when the more naturally gifted are out. I actually think he'd be quite good next to Virgil and would improve with that experience. Anyway, it's not up to us - we'll know where we stand soon enough.
So no youth development, no player development of any kind and just get you a load of stars. Theres this club called man city you should start following
And signing a 5th choice CB to cover a couple of months when defenders are getting match fit isn’t short sighted?
Our Jimmy does like the more cultured players but on this one whilst I can see Jimmy’s point I more than happy having Phillips in there because as you say he is 5th choice
We can like what we like.but in the end fsg will always "make do" We have got a cb in. We ought to be happy we've done that early. Strong suspicion we are going to sell up players to see what we do.
